Using math to understand the hidden lives of fungi

Marcus Roper Professor / UCLA Mathematics

Fungi surround us, but somehow also live dark, hidden lives. Succeeding as organisms requires overcoming challenges to grow and disperse. By understanding the ingenuity of fungal solutions to these challenges, we learn about their mysterious world, as well as how to help prevent the harms that fungi can cause in ours. The other goal of my talk is to show how mathematical models are powerful tools for understanding the world around us.

Recommended grade levels for this talk: 6th-8th